Top News:
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
Astros Officially Create the Sign-and-Promote with Jon Singleton — For the last year or so, the Astros have reportedly been offering various long-term deals to some of the young players in their organization, using the carrot of guaranteed millions to try and buy out a couple of free agent years.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, ESPN.com, CBSSports.com, U.S.S. Mariner, The Crawfish Boxes and Where Have You Gone …
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
(USATSI) — While the Yankees are believed to have reached out to free-agent 1B/DH Kendrys Morales, they also are thought to be awaiting the results of Mark Teixeira's medical re-evaluation before making a big play for Morales, who's expected to sign shortly after the MLB Draft begins Thursday.
Discussion:
SI Wire, HardballTalk and Pinstripe Alley
Canadian Press:
Wolf earns first win since 2012 as Marlins beat Rays — MIAMI — Randy Wolf pitched six innings Monday night for his first victory since 2012, and the Miami Marlins beat Tampa Bay 3-1, sending the Rays to their seventh consecutive loss. — The 37-year-old Wolf, making a comeback …
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Mets put Juan Lagares on DL — PHILADELPHIA — The New York Mets placed center fielder Juan Lagares on the disabled list with a strained rib-cage muscle before Monday's series finale against the Phillies. — Lagares was diagnosed with an intercostal strain Monday after undergoing an MRI …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Masterson, Indians End Boston's 7-Game Win Streak — CLEVELAND — Justin Masterson found the strike zone after a rocky start and pitched seven scoreless innings as the Cleveland Indians ended Boston's seven-game winning streak, beating the Red Sox 3-2 Monday night.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, CBSSports.com and Canadian Press
Jim Callis / MLB.com:
Mock Draft: Aiken remains No. 1 choice for Astros — High school lefty still atop board, but Houston could pick a bat — Teams have spent the past week setting up their First-Year Player Draft boards, and now they'll start pinning down the signability of their top targets.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, AZ Snake Pit and Bucs Dugout
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Marlins To Sign Kevin Gregg — 7:41pm: Gregg will receive a $2.1MM pro-rated salary upon being called up, which means he'll earn right around the same amount ($1.4MM) that the Marlins will now forego in draft bonus slot money, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, SI Wire and Fish Stripes
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles Purchase Johan Santana's Contract — The Orioles announced that they've selected the contract of Johan Santana and placed him on the 15-day disabled list as he continues his recovery from left shoulder surgery. Santana had an opt-out clause in his contract that would've allowed him to elect free agency at midnight tonight.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
(USATSI) — The Royals could be a surprise entry in the Kendrys Morales derby, but they'd probably have to offload some salary first. — Kansas City is weighing a run at Morales, according to sources, and considering the way their offense is going — they are last in the American League in runs …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Royals Review
Bob Nightengale / WXIA-TV:
Hudson on Braves' offer: ‘Kind of a slap in the face’ — ST. LOUIS (USA Today) — The two of them cringe at the memories, reminded of their anguish virtually every day they step inside the San Francisco Giants clubhouse. — There are beautiful World Series championship rings everywhere they look …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Fox Sports:
Mets have opportunity to find new forms of relief — The New York Mets have struggled this year. Things have been better, especially on the pitching side, but they'll likely find it difficult to finish above .500 in 2014. One of the many reasons the team has been unable to win games has been its inconsistent bullpen.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Games of the Day — The Mariners and Yankees play a make-up game, and the Yankees get to face the King, Felix Hernandez. David Phelps stands in opposition. Hernandez is what an innings eater should be. He stays in games because he pitches well, he doesn't just hang around to save the bullpen.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing